The United Nations Security Council has condemned Syria’s shelling of the town of Akçakale in Turkey that led to the deaths of five women and children.

A protestor in Akcakale, the Turkish town hit by Syrian shelling, demonstrating against further violence (Picture: Getty)

Despite divisions within the UN council, it unanimously criticised the incident ‘in the strongest terms’.

In a statement approved from all 15 Security Council members, the UN’s most powerful body said the incident ‘highlighted the grave impact the crisis in Syria has on the security of its neighbours and on regional peace and stability’.

The statement was approved following two days of negotiations between members.

The US, its Western supporters and their Nato ally Turkey had wanted a strong statement, while Russia, Syria’s most important ally, sought a weaker text.

The UN offered its condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Turkey.

It demanded an immediate end to such violations of international law and called on the Syrian government ‘to fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbours’.

The statement included a key concession from Russia that the Syrian shelling of the town of Akçakale violated international law.

Syria’s UN envoy said his government is not seeking any escalation of violence with Turkey and wants to maintain good neighbourly relations.

Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari said the government has not apologised for the shelling because it is waiting for the outcome of an investigation on the source of the firing.

He read reporters a letter he delivered to the Security Council that sent Syria’s ‘deepest condolences’ to the families of the victims ‘and to the friendly and brotherly people of Turkey’.